Engineering is all about applying solutions to diverse problems. Reinforcing our teaching, work experience gives a student the opportunity to experience real-life problems and a company an opportunity to sample from the best students.

Video: Student placement with Carillion

One of our students gets hands-on experience on the University's new library with Carillion.

What is RESPECT?

RESPECT is an initiative for Civil Engineering undergraduate students and builds on our strong links with industry to provide a symbiotic relationship between training, education and employment.

Companies taking part in RESPECT each year look for motivated, enthusiastic engineers. They may recruit for long-term sponsorship and development over 2-3 summers and maybe an industrial year, or they may just be offering a one-off placement. This gives you the flexibility to use the Department’s industrial contacts to your benefit, whether you want to the security of a commitment between you and your company, or whether you want to get as much variety of experience as you’re able.

If you’re lucky enough to win sponsorship, not only does it mean valuable paid work experience, it also means a bursary of £1500 per subsequent year of study. All companies taking part in RESPECT hope to offer a possible job upon graduation.

How can I get involved?

The RESPECT programme is open to any civil engineering and related company. All continuing undergraduate students (Home/EU and International students) are eligible to apply. That means 1st, 2nd and (for MEng) 3rd year students can apply.

RESPECT starts in the autumn term where you get to meet the companies taking part and send in your application. Interviews are arranged for early in the spring term, after which we aim to match company-student preferences as soon as possible, usually with 2-3 weeks. You’ll then sign the acceptance form and you and your company will arrange all the details of your placement: location, dates, salary, etc.

Sponsoring Companies

We’re privileged to work with some of the best names across civil engineering and regularly enjoy new companies coming to take part. The exact list changes each year as companies come and go, and in 2014, Balfour Beatty, Arup, Parsons Brinkerhoff, Interserve Construction, Mouchel, Carillion Civil Engineering, Atkins, Amey, Hyder Consulting, North Midland Construction, Laing O'Rourke, Grontmij and Geoffrey Osborne Ltd all took part. Students will work on projects ranging from our very own developments on campus, to all sorts of design and construction schemes.